Announcing: My February 2014 Thailand Tour

Announcing: My February 2014 Thailand TourBy Nomadic Matt | Published October 9th, 2013

Thailand has always been one of my favorite countries in the world and the years I spent living there are some of my most memorable. I long for Thailand on a constant basis and I love showing people around a country I still call home and opening them up to the magic that is Thailand.

That’s why I was so excited in August to announce that one of the four tours I’ll be leading in 2014 will be in Thailand. The country has so much to offer: delicious food, outstanding beaches, lush jungles, and some of the happiest, friendliest people on earth.

And now it’s time to announce the full details and open sign-ups for the tour!

When: Feb, 7th 2014 – Feb 24th, 2014 (18 days)
How many people? Maximum of 12

Day 1 (Feb 7th, 2014): Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok.Group introductions and dinner.

Day 2 (Feb 8th, 2014): Bangkok

Visit to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Jim Thompson House, and more.Optional group dinner and night out.

Day 3 (Feb 9th, 2014): Bangkok

Visit to the weekend market.Optional group dinner and night out.

Day 4 (Feb 10th, 2014): Bangkok – Khao Yai

Travel to Khao Yai National Park for hiking in a jungle.Half-day jungle trek.

Day 5 (Feb 11th, 2014): Khao Yai

Full day guided hiking trek to learn about the landscape and find some elephants. This is one of my favorite parks in all of Thailand.

Day 6 (Feb 12th, 2014): Khao Yai – Chaing Mai

Travel day with a slight stop over in Lopburi and then overnight on train to Chiang Mai.

Day 7 (Feb 13th, 2014): Chiang Mai

Temple tour of Chiang Mai, including a visit to Wat Doi Suthep.Included group dinner.

Day 8 (Feb 14th, 2014): Chiang Mai

Full day visit to an Elephant Sanctuary.Visit to the city’s famous night market.Optional group dinner.

Day 9 (Feb 15th, 2014): Chiang Mai

Full day jungle trek.Optional group dinner.

Day 10 (Feb 16th, 2014): Chiang Mai

Day on your own: relax, explore, and enjoy.Optional group dinner.

Day 11 (Feb 17th, 2014): Chaing Mai to Koh Lanta

Fly to Krabi, transfer to Ko Lanta to enjoy some of Thailand’s famous beaches!Group seafood dinner (non-seafood options available).

Day 12 (Feb 18th, 2014): Koh Lanta

Day snorkel trip.Optional group dinner.

Day 13 (Feb 19th, 2014): Koh Lanta

Beach day!Optional group dinner.

Day 14 (Feb 20th, 2014): Koh Lanta

Beach day (or snorkel, dive, hike, whatever!).Optional group dinner.

Day 15 (Feb 21st, 2014): Ko Lanta – Krabi

Back to Krabi to relax before going back to Bangkok.Optional group dinner.

Day 16 (Feb 22nd, 2014): Krabi – Bangkok

Back to Bangkok.Optional group dinner.

Day 17 (Feb 23rd, 2014): Bangkok

Day trip to Ayutthaya, one of the old capitals of Thailand.Good bye dinner.

Day 18 (Feb 24th, 2014): Bangkok

While we are there, I’ll be planning many optional activities, food tours, and more. We’ll be visiting my favorite restaurants, bars, food stalls, and sights in the country!

What’s included?

All accommodationsLocal tour guideListed activitiesInter-city transportationLocal city transportation when traveling as a groupOne group meal in each city

What’s not included?

International airfareApplicable visa feesFood outside that listed aboveAlcoholSouvenirsAnything not listed

How much?
This 18 day tour is $2,500 USD.

What kind of rooms are we staying in?
We will be staying in guesthouses that will have air-conditioning and private bathrooms. If you are traveling alone, you will be paired with another traveler of the same gender.

Why does this tour cost so much?
Thailand is a very cheap country, but what makes this tour a bit more expensive than doing it on your own is that we are traveling above “backpacker style” so there are more comforts as well as the internal flights. Additionally, in order to run a tour in Thailand I have to have a Thai guide with us at all times. I’m working with a company to help set up the tour and, due to the adventure activities on the tour, have insurance for the trip in case something happens.

Is international airfare provided?
No, you’ll be responsible for your own airfare to and from the tour.

Will I need travel insurance?
Yes, all guests will be required to have travel insurance for the duration of the trip. I’ll be asking for proof before departure. If you don’t have it, you won’t be able to come.

Is there an age requirement?
You must be 18 years or older.

Will I need to fill out any release forms?
Yes, you’ll also be required to fill out and sign a liability waiver releasing me and Nomadic Matt Tours from any and all liability related to the tour.

What if I change my mind? What is your refund policy?
I’ll cry but understand. Plans change. The refund policy is as follows: if you cancel 90 days before departure, you’ll get 100% of your money back, minus $500 for a non-refundable flight. If you cancel between 90-60 days before departure, a 50% refund. If you cancel within 60-30 days of departure, a 25% refund. Cancelation within 30 days results in a 0% refund.

Will I have any time to myself?
Of course! I hate the tours that book every minute of your day. While we will be busy, there will also be plenty of time for you to explore on your own!

What about visas?
If you require a visa to enter Thailand, you’ll need to get that in advance at your own cost.

How many spots can I buy at once?
Reservations on the tour are limited to a maximum of 2 per person to ensure everyone gets a chance to go!

If you try to get in and there’s no more room, e-mail me at [email protected] with the subject “waitlist” and I’ll put your name on the waitlist!

P.S. – Not able to make this tour? I’ll be offering more in the future! You can stay informed by signing up to this list.

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Announcing My 2014 Group Tours

Announcing My 2014 Group ToursBy Nomadic Matt | Published August 14th, 2013

My first tour takes place less than a month from now in Europe. I’m super excited to lead ten readers across the continent and visit my favorite cities for two weeks.

I’m excited and nervous all at once but I know it is going to be a blast.

Lately, I’ve had a lot of requests for more information about the tours I’m going to run next year.

As you may know, I’m currently running a Kickstarter campaign to fund a new travel app called TripSaver. This app will help you manage, track, and budget your expenses on the road and will be available for iOS and Android phones.

One of the backing levels for this campaign is first access to the FOUR tours I’m running in 2014. I’ve spent the last week putting together itineraries for each tour to further expand on the information already in the Kickstarter.

So here are the general details for next year’s Nomadic Matt’s group tours:

Length: 18 days

Day 1 – 3 (Bangkok) – We’ll explore my favorite city in the world (and former home), taking in temples, eating at the best street food stalls, visiting my top restaurants and bars, and proving that Bangkok is more than traffic and pollution.Day 4 (Ayutthaya) – A short distance from Bangkok, we will spend the day exploring the ruins of one of Thailand’s ancient capitals.Day 5 – 6 (Khao Yai National Park) – One of the lesser known national parks in Thailand, we’ll try to find some wild elephants as well as learn about the flora and fauna of the area.Day 7 – 10 (Chiang Mai) – Heading up north, we’ll spend a few days in this vibrant city, exploring the nearby jungles and an elephant sanctuary, as well as eat our way through the markets and do some shopping at the famous night bazaar.Day 11 – 14 (Ko Lanta) – It’s time to head to my favorite island in Thailand, where we will sit by the beach, soak up some sun, eat seafood, swim, dive, snorkel, and watch some intense pink and purple sunsets (see above).Day 15 – 16 (Krabi) – An overnight pit stop at this other beach destination before we head back to Bangkok.Day 17 – 18 (Bangkok) – We return to Bangkok for some final street food (and shopping) before we all say good-bye!

Length: 14 days

Day 1 – 4 (Paris) – We’ll explore the city of lights, visit the famed palace of Versailles, gorge on French food and wine, and learn about the history of this mesmerizing city. I can never get enough of Paris. After I take you there, neither will you.Day 5 – 6 (Brussels) – The capital of the E.U. is also home to chocolate, beer, and frites. A delicious couple of days.Day 7 – 9 (Amsterdam) – Another former home of mine, where I’ll prove to you that Amsterdam is more than red lights and coffee shops. We’ll head out to the main tourist areas, exploring lesser known local neighborhoods, eating at great cafes and restaurants, visiting museums, and much more.Day 10 – 14 (Berlin) – Sprawling Berlin took me a while to love, but this city is filled with cheap and delicious ethnic food, a lot of history, some of the best museums in Europe, wild nightlife, and wonderful parks.

Length: 14 days

Day 1 – 4 (Prague) – We will spend a few days in one of the most historic cities in Europe as well as take a day trip to the famous Kutna Hora Bone Church.Day 5 – 7 (Vienna) – After a scenic train ride through the countryside, we’ll visit the city of Freud, drink coffee, marvel at art, and learn about the history of the former capital of Austro-Hungarian empire.Day 8 – 10 (Bratislava) – Not the city depicted in the movie Hostel, this historic medieval city features a beautiful castle, tasty and strong beer, and one of my favorite restaurants in Europe.Day 11 – 14 (Budapest) – I love Budapest. I can’t get enough of it. We’ll explore this historic city, try some traditional folk dancing, take in the culture, relax in the famous bath houses, and enjoy the Ruin bars, one of the most unique bar scenes in the world.

Length: 14 days

Day 1 – 4 (Sydney) – We will spend four days in Sydney learning to surf, enjoying the beaches, hiking the famous Blue Mountains, and visiting the Hunter Valley for wine.Day 5 – 10 (Cairns) –  We’ll fly up to Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef and the famous Atherton tablelands before escaping up to Cape Tribulation for a little quiet away from the crowds.Day 11 – 14 (Melbourne) – Our last stop on the tour, we’ll spend a few days in Melbourne, visit the penguins on Phillip’s Island and drive the Great Ocean Road.

On these tours, I’ll be taking you to all the hidden, off-the-beaten-track sights, restaurants, and bars that made me fall in love with each destination over and over again.  I’ll show you the known and unknown of each location all while giving you budget travel tips that can be used on any future trips you take!

All tours include ground transportation (bus, intracity flights, and trains), accommodation (a mix of guesthouses, private rooms, and dorms), walking tours, group meals, and activities.

What’s not included: international flights, travel insurance, visa fees, and meals not specified.

Cost: Each tour will cost $2,000 USD.

If you are interested in signing up now, I have opened two spots for each tour on my Kickstarter campaign. All tours are limited to ten people on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to explore the world with me, this your chance to join the tours now.

You can head over to the Kickstarter page and sign up there.

If you want to take a chance and wait, I’ll be opening all the other spots in the coming months.

Additionally, as part of the Kickstarter campaign, I am also offering two other cool backing gifts:

I’ll fly you and a guest out to New York City and give you a personal guided tour of my new home, showing you my favorite tourist sites, restaurants, and bars. You are responsible for your own accommodations but I will be happy to make affordable suggestions. The personal tour is only one day but stay in the city as long as you want!I will come to your city, hand deliver my book, take you to your favorite restaurant, and talk with you about travel, life, and answer any questions you want.

We’re halfway through the Kickstarter and these three options are a great way to join 1,000 other people in supporting this important project while getting great deals and trips at a great price.

Thank you again for all your support – not only during this project but throughout the years.

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